Early morning Shreveport shootings, including at Phoenix night club, leave 3 people dead

Several early morning shootings in Shreveport claimed the lives of three people.

“Overnight brought more disturbing gunfire to Shreveport, killing at least three people in separate incidents. My heart hurts for the victims and their families, and I know I speak for the entire City when I extend our sincere concern and condolences," said Mayor Tom Arceneaux.

Just before 2:30 a.m. July 15, Shreveport Police Department was dispatched to a shooting on Commerce Street near Phoenix 2.0 nightclub in Downtown Shreveport. Upon arrival, officers discovered several shooting victims one in which was pronounced dead at the scene.

Arceneaux said, “Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith is calling in officers for overtime to put more officers on patrol tonight in high-crime neighborhoods and downtown to have a greater presence in these locations immediately."

According to Shreveport Police Department, the downtown shooting occurred when two males began shooting handguns near the nightclub.

Several minutes later Shreveport Police Department was dispatched to Wallace Avenue on reports of a shooting. Officers discovered upon arrival that one person was dead.

According to police, this incident is unrelated to the downtown shooting.

Read: Here's what you need to know about the 4th of July mass shooting

Just before 9 a.m. Shreveport Police Department was dispatched to the 2000 block of Murray Street on reports of a shooting.

Upon arrival, officers discovered two people who were shot, one was pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim was transported to Ochsner LSU Health with non-life-threatening injuries.

“The community must band together to put away the perpetrators of these outrageous acts. This is a difficult problem, and we must all be part of the solution," said Arceneaux.

He continued by saying, “SPD and the Administration are considering additional remedies that may involve local legislation and other oversight. The Administration understands that the Council intends to call a Public Safety Committee meeting next week, and the Administration will cooperate fully with the Council and others with ideas on how best to respond to the serious increase in gun violence in our community."

Anyone with information about these shootings should contact police at 318-673-7300 or call Crimestoppers at 318-673-7373.

"We must make Shreveport a safer place again," said Arceneaux.

More: Shooting leads to police standoff in South Shreveport

Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: 3 dead after string of early morning shootings in Shreveport